AGP Executive Report

Tourism Safety Alert: Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy warned citizens against booking travel services via social media scams, urging only official and accredited companies for accommodation, transport and tours. Hajj Travel Updates: Lagos State’s 2026 Hajj pilgrims (1,600 total) are set to begin their return airlift from Saudi Arabia starting June 8, with reminders to follow baggage rules to avoid delays. Hajj Operations in Saudi: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said Indonesian return flights are continuing smoothly, with pilgrims advised to keep passports and documents secure and comply with airline baggage limits. Aviation & Connectivity: Lebanon inaugurated rehabilitation of its second international airport, René Mouawad Airport near Qlayaat, aiming for public operations within weeks and future routes including Dubai and planned links to Saudi Arabia. Regional Flight Resumption: Air Arabia outlined phased restarts and rebooking options for affected passengers, with services from UAE hubs to multiple Middle East and international destinations. Culture & Media: LE SSERAFIM’s “BOOMPALA” keeps climbing UK charts and shows strong gains in Saudi Arabia.

Hajj & Umrah Updates: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs says guests from 104 countries under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Programme have departed after Haj and visits to Prophet’s Mosque, using Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah with “security and tranquility.” Archaeology & Heritage: Diriyah excavations in Al-Qassim uncovered the “Diriyah Treasure,” a ceramic jar packed with 100+ Abbasid-era gold, silver and gemstone jewellery, found along an old medieval Hajj route linking Basra to Mecca. Aviation & Connectivity: Air India and Riyadh Air signed an MoU to build seamless travel between India and Saudi Arabia via interline and codeshare links (subject to approvals), aiming to boost tourism and family visits. World Cup Travel Buzz: Reports say Saudi supporters in the U.S. may get complimentary tickets for Saudi matches amid broader World Cup ticketing scrutiny. Pilgrimage Logistics: Sierra Leonean diaspora pilgrims from the U.S. began departing Makkah by bus to Jeddah’s Hajj Terminal after completing Haj rites, with more batches expected.

Aviation & Connectivity: Riyadh Air took delivery of its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in Riyadh, with water-cannon salutes, as the carrier gears up to launch and connect the Kingdom to 100+ destinations by 2030. Air Links: Air India and Riyadh Air signed an MoU to build seamless India–Saudi travel, including interline/codeshare plans and shared loyalty benefits, pending approvals. Tourism Business Outlook: A hospitality investment piece ahead of Saudi’s Future Hospitality Summit argues the next growth phase will be driven by broader sectors beyond tourism demand. Hajj Travel Updates: 29,694 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims returned from Saudi Arabia, with 46 deaths reported and thousands receiving medical support during the season. Travel Safety Alerts: A U.S. embassy security alert urged Americans to reconsider travel across much of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, citing high tensions. Geopolitics Impacting Travel: Iran denied a uranium-transfer claim reported by Al Arabiya, while U.S. and regional tensions continue to shape travel advisories and airline planning.

Hajj Returns: Nigeria’s NAHCON says 1,905 Nigerian pilgrims and officials have safely returned from Saudi Arabia after the 2026 Hajj, with multiple airlift flights from Jeddah to Abuja and other states. Pilgrimage Heritage: Saudi archaeologists report uncovering 1,700+ artifacts at Al-Juhfah/Miqat al-Juhfah, highlighting centuries of pilgrimage history around Mecca. Umrah Access: Saudi Arabia has started issuing Umrah visas for the new season, with pilgrim arrivals beginning. Tourism Growth Outlook: A new forecast puts Saudi Arabia’s events industry on track to more than double from $6.1bn (2021) to $17.6bn by 2031, driven by sports, music concerts and younger audiences. Aviation & Connectivity: Boeing delivered Riyadh Air’s first 787-9 Dreamliner to support expansion, while Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman reiterated the Kingdom will remain a reliable energy supplier—an important signal for travel confidence amid regional tensions. Travel Safety: The U.S. issued a broad Middle East travel advisory urging Americans to stay cautious, including Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” for Saudi Arabia and Level 4 “Do Not Travel” for higher-risk areas. Major Infrastructure: King Salman International Airport’s £22.5bn build is progressing toward a 2030 completion, aiming for up to 100m passengers and six runways.

Air Connectivity Disruption: British Airways pushed back Middle East resumptions, keeping Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman flights paused until at least Oct 25, while Doha and Riyadh schedules were cut to one daily as the region’s conflict continues. New Fleet Milestone: Riyadh Air received its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on June 4, a key step as the carrier prepares to launch public flights soon. Travel Safety Alert: The US issued a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, urging Americans to monitor fast-changing conditions and know nearby shelters. Regional Transport Vision: Turkey discussed reviving the Hejaz Railway and extending it toward Oman, aiming to create a tourism-and-transport corridor and an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. Hajj Supply Chain Watch: Reports say fruit demand during Hajj 2026 was lower than prior years, helping keep supply steady in Makkah and Madinah. Saudi Spotlight at SPIEF: Saudi Arabia’s guest-of-honor pavilion at the St. Petersburg forum drew attention for Vision 2030, energy, investment and tourism plans.

Hajj Return Operations: Saudi Arabia’s post-Hajj flow continues as the first group of pilgrims returns home, with reports highlighting smooth departures and ongoing airlift logistics after the season’s successful close. Pilgrim Health & Crowd Management: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj operations are again in the spotlight for strong health standards and advanced crowd support, including AI and robotics used to manage the massive 2026 pilgrim turnout. Umrah & Visa Access: Saudi Arabia keeps momentum with the opening of Umrah visa issuance for the new season via Nusuk, supporting the next wave of religious travel. Makkah Development: Masar Destination operator Umm Al Qura for Development & Construction awarded major Hindawiya West and South site projects under its 2026–2030 strategy, expanding the Masar Gardens footprint across Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah. Air Connectivity for Travelers: Air India and Riyadh Air signed a deal enabling single-ticket India–Saudi flights, aiming to simplify booking and boost convenience for cross-border visitors. Regional Travel Context: With Middle East tensions still affecting routes, travel planning remains cautious as airlines adjust schedules and passengers face disruption risks.

Hajj Operations & Pilgrim Safety: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj 1447 AH wrapped up with over 1.7 million pilgrims completing the rites, with Saudi health officials saying the season saw no epidemic outbreaks and highlighting tech-enabled crowd management and services. Hajj Logistics (Nigeria): NAHCON reported the start of return airlifts, with 560 Nigerian pilgrims departing Jeddah for Abuja and more flights scheduled for other states, urging strict luggage rules to avoid delays. Hajj 2027 Planning: Indonesia’s Hajj and Umrah officials said all Hajj staff will undergo training at barracks facilities for better service quality, and a dedicated Armuzna operations unit will be set up for 2027. Saudi Aviation: Saudia received its first Airbus A321XLR, enabling longer narrow-body routes up to 8,700 km and rolling out its upgraded “New Saudia Experience” onboard product. Regional Travel Disruption: British Airways extended Middle East flight suspensions tied to the Iran conflict, including Dubai until Oct 25, while some routes like Doha and Riyadh are set to restart in August.

Hajj Travel Updates: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj operations wrapped up with 1.7M+ pilgrims completing 1447 AH rites, while return airlifts keep rolling—India welcomed its first Hajj return batch at Delhi, and Flynas outlined Nigeria’s phased return flights (Nasarawa first, then Ogun and Kebbi). Pilgrim Services & Planning: Saudi health authorities and partners highlighted epidemic-free Hajj outcomes, while India’s Haj Committee issued Haj-2027 prep guidance urging pilgrims to keep passports ready. Air Connectivity Moves: Saudia signed a Special Prorate deal with Myanmar Airways International to expand one-itinerary bookings between Jeddah/Madinah and Yangon via regional hubs. Regional Travel Disruption: Iran-linked missile/drone alerts across the Gulf triggered airspace closures and flight suspensions/diversions, with airlines adjusting schedules around Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain. Tourism Demand Outlook: With Middle East tensions weighing on travel, domestic tourism is expected to help cushion demand—an angle that matters for Saudi’s wider tourism planning. Cultural Access: An Ilorin-born scholar translated the Prophet’s Mosque Hajj sermon into Yoruba for Yoruba-speaking pilgrims.

Hajj Tech & Health: Saudi Arabia wrapped up Hajj 1447 AH with no epidemic outbreaks, using AI and robotics plus drones for medicine delivery and smartwatches for remote monitoring, while crowd flow was managed via the Sawaher platform and the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro moved over 2 million passengers. Holy Sites Expansion: The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites awarded contracts worth 13.3 billion riyals for new homes, hotels, shops and offices across six sites, supporting plans to triple Hajj and Umrah visitors to 30+ million by 2030. Pilgrim Services at Masjid al-Haram & Prophet’s Mosque: The Prophet’s Mosque welcomed post-Hajj visitors with multilingual guidance, digital awareness, 24/7 field teams, Zamzam water support, sanitisation and help for elderly and people with disabilities. Tourism Growth Signals: A Middle East hotel pipeline report shows expansion led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Saudi holding nearly half of active hotel rooms under construction (51,513 rooms). Umrah Access: Saudi Arabia started re-issuing Umrah visas for the new season through the Nusuk platform, with pilgrim arrivals beginning. Hospitality Innovation: FHS Saudi Arabia’s Startup Den returns for 2026, spotlighting hospitality and tourism entrepreneurs pitching to global industry leaders.

Hajj Health & Numbers: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health and the WHO hailed the 2026 Hajj as a public health success, saying the pilgrimage ended without confirmed or suspected epidemic outbreaks, while more than 1.7 million pilgrims completed the 1447 AH rites. Hajj Operations & Safety: Civil Defense has started early planning for Hajj 2027, reviewing services from arrival to departure and running thousands of inspections at accommodations and facilities. Pilgrim Transport Updates: NAHCON said Nigerian pilgrims’ return transportation from Saudi Arabia begins Wednesday, with Max Air starting June 3 and Flynas/Air Peace from June 4, plus reminders on baggage rules and advance notifications. Hajj Returns Continue: Iranian pilgrims began returning home by air after completing Hajj, with Saudi services credited for a smooth season. Tourism & Hospitality Boost: Eid visitors helped lift Bahrain’s hospitality sector, with the tourism minister pointing to GCC demand and summer-ready programming. Saudi Tourism Ecosystem: FHS Saudi Arabia’s Startup Den is back for 2026, spotlighting hospitality and tourism entrepreneurs pitching to industry leaders. Corruption Oversight: Nazaha announced arrests of 160 government employees over corruption charges, including activity tied to Hajj inspections.

Hajj Health & Tech: WHO praised Saudi Arabia for delivering a safe Hajj 2026 with no confirmed or suspected epidemic cases, highlighting advanced tech support like robotics, drones, and health-monitoring systems. Digital Operations: SDAIA said it wrapped Hajj 2026 with an AI-powered digital ecosystem, including biometric smart devices and support across dozens of holy-site and screening locations. Post-Hajj Travel: Nigeria’s NAHCON announced return flights from Makkah to Nigeria starting June 3, while EgyptAir began airlifts to bring pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia. Umrah Momentum: Saudi Arabia has started re-issuing Umrah visas for the new season via Nusuk, signaling continued demand for religious travel. Luxury Red Sea Tourism: Miraval opened its first international resort, Miraval The Red Sea, an adults-only wellness retreat on Shura Island, adding to Saudi’s luxury tourism push. Regional Context: Reports also flagged renewed Iran–Gulf tensions and broader travel risk concerns, underscoring why Saudi’s smooth Hajj operations are drawing extra attention.

Hajj Operations Update: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj season wrapped up with strong health and crowd-management results, as WHO praised the Kingdom for keeping the 1447 AH pilgrimage free of disease outbreaks and public health threats, while Saudi health authorities reported stable conditions throughout. AI Crowd Control: Saudi Arabia deployed KACST’s Roya AI to help manage Mecca’s Hajj crowds using real-time data, and SDAIA expanded digital support across ports and screening sites to keep departures running smoothly. Pilgrim Returns: 11,613 Bangladeshi pilgrims returned home as post-Hajj flights continued, with reports of 41 Bangladeshi deaths during Hajj this year. Heat Warning for Travelers: New climate reporting says Mecca has been the world’s hottest city for 26 years and that global heating is shrinking the “safe” months for Hajj, raising heat-exhaustion risks. Tourism & Hospitality Angle: Saudi Arabia is also pushing ahead with major visitor infrastructure, including new Red Sea luxury openings like Four Seasons Resort and Miraval.

Umrah Restart: Saudi Arabia has started issuing Umrah visas for the new season, with entry and permits managed via the Nusuk app starting May 31/June 1, and a defined schedule running into April 2027. Hajj Feedback Loop: Riyadh’s Hajj and Umrah minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah urged pilgrims to share their suggestions after 2026, saying firsthand feedback will shape future service upgrades. Post-Hajj Operations: Saudi aviation and holy-site authorities say they’ve boosted readiness for departures and worshippers after Hajj, including expanded Prophet’s Mosque entry gates, walkways, prayer carpets, and Zamzam water points in Medina. Mecca Clean-Up at Scale: A new Waste Processing City south of Mecca is planned over 8.5 million square metres, targeting completion by end-2027 to support waste needs for decades of Hajj and Umrah demand. Tourism & Travel Pulse: Saudi Arabia’s US Embassy announced free World Cup 2026 tickets for Saudi national team fans in the country, aiming to keep stadiums lively as the tournament approaches. Regional Links: Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif met Syria’s interior minister in Makkah to review security cooperation tied to Hajj-era coordination.

Hajj Wrap-Up & Health: Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry says Hajj 1447 AH saw no epidemic outbreaks or public-health threats, citing 24/7 surveillance, rapid response, and whole-of-government coordination. Security & Crowd Control: The Interior Ministry reports a stable security situation with no incidents disrupting Hajj, while pilgrims completed final rituals including Farewell Tawaf around the Kaaba. Sanitation & Food Safety: Makkah’s municipal authorities say 38,000+ inspection visits were carried out, 5,000+ food samples tested, and zero food-poisoning cases recorded, alongside removal of 250,000+ tons of waste in Makkah. Tourism Leadership: Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin is set to leave after seven years, with Abdullah Al Hagbani named acting CEO from July 1. Next-Season Planning: Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah outlined 1448 AH office arrangements for 2027, including mandatory comprehensive service packages, new training for Hajj offices, and priority accommodation booking windows. Pilgrim Returns: Post-Hajj repatriation is underway—Pakistan’s first return flight landed in Islamabad, while Egypt launched early repatriation flights for tourist pilgrims from Makkah.

Hajj wrap and next-season planning: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj leadership says 1447 AH Hajj ran on an “integrated system” of security, organisation and services, with officials already reviewing performance indicators and pilgrim satisfaction to improve digital services, housing, transport and crowd management for 2027. Ritual updates from Mina: Pilgrims completed the stoning of the Jamarat on the second day of Tashreeq, with Saudi authorities highlighting smooth movement across the Jamarat Bridge and between Mina and Makkah. International praise: Oman’s Omani Hajj Mission won the Silver “Labaytum” award for excellence, while Qatar’s pilgrims praised round-the-clock medical, logistical and guidance support. Repatriation begins: The first 2026 Hajj return flight landed in Dhaka, kicking off a month-long Bangladesh repatriation, while Pakistan’s post-Hajj airlift is set to start June 1 with dozens of flights. Regional diplomacy: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Muslim World League chief in Makkah, praising Saudi arrangements and Islamic outreach. Tourism angle: With Hajj concluding, Saudi’s focus shifts to smoother pilgrim travel flows—an important signal for future religious tourism demand.

Hajj Wrap-Up: Arab and Gulf leaders including Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit praised Saudi Arabia’s “integrated” Hajj organization, citing advanced crowd management and digital logistics as pilgrims mark the final rites and begin leaving Makkah. Field Operations: The Hajj Ministry intensified crowd control during the days of Tashreeq at the Jamarat facility, using staggered scheduling and monitoring to manage entry/exit flows. Next Season Planning: Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah met Hajj company reps to review 2026 performance and kick off early preparations for 2027, focusing on upgrades to housing, transport, crowd management and digital platforms. Heat and Safety: New research warns climate change is shrinking the “safe” weather window for Hajj, with Mecca’s May heat now likened to summer conditions from the 1980s. Pilgrim Experience Moments: A viral “I am no shaitan” quip during the devil-stoning ritual added a lighter human touch to the intense, 40°C+ conditions. Bangladesh Repatriation: Bangladesh’s Hajj return flights start Friday night, with 5,434 pilgrims on 13 flights on day one, beginning from Jeddah. Luxury Tourism: Raffles Hotels opened Raffles Jeddah on the Corniche, positioning the new landmark for high-end Red Sea visitors.